FEBRUARY 2017 ISSUE

STUDENT NEWSLETTER

The Australian College of Kuwait - Academic Year 2016/2017

Featuring Kuwait’s National and Liberation Days

Front Cover Photo by Abdulaziz Al Tammar

FEBRUARY’S ISSUE:FIND INSIDE

National Day Celebrations at ACK Organized by SRAC

National and Liberation Day Celebrations in Kuwait

ACK in India: Humanitarian Eng.Design Summit

March Activities Calendar

Mr. Talal Abu Ghazaleh at ACK

Student Awards Ceremony

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2017

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ACK CELEBRATES KUWAIT’S NATIONAL & LIBERATION DAY

The Australian College of Kuwait (ACK) celebrated Kuwait’s National Day of independence and Liberation days at the campus. The event was attended by ACK students and staff members to express their love for the country and to symbolize unity under the nation’s colors.

Organized by ACK’s Student Affairs Department, with many representatives from the College’s student clubs, staff members and students were treated to a wonderful showcase of traditional dancing performance by the “Al Kuwait Group”.

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The celebration included numerous activities and a variety of traditional Kuwaiti food displays.

Concluding the event, a special program was organized featuring different competitions and distribution of many prizes to participants and winners.

The Student Affairs Department aims to create a vibrant campus life and safe environment that contributes to ACK’s students in different ways to push them towards excellence and success.

Photos by Abdulaziz Al Tammar

KUWAIT CELEBRATIONS

THROUGH ABDULAZIZ AL TAMMAR’S LENS25TH AND 26TH FEBRUARY 2017

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Abdulaziz Al Tammar is a Business Management student who enjoys graphic design and photography. He understands how both passions go hand in hand and is able to produce wonderful pictures.

During the National and Liberation Day celebrations, Abdulaziz took the opportunity to capture the excitement of local families as they commemorated this joyous occasion along the Gulf Road. The following pictures and the front cover are examples of the tremendous talent possessed by Abdulaziz in using his camera to best effect.

Abdulaziz recently joined the Newsletter team. We look forward to future creative contributions from him.

To find more of Abdulaziz’s work, follow his Instagram page: @az94iz

10KUWAIT CELEBRATIONSTHROUGH ABDULAZIZ AL TAMMAR’S LENS CONTINUED

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ACK IN INDIAHUMANITARIAN ENGINEERING DESIGN SUMMIT 2017

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Two of our brilliant engineering students were selected to represent ACK in India for two weeks at the end of January. Organized by “Engineers Without Borders Australia”, Talal Al Dousari and Aya Chen Daoliang attended the Humanitarian Engineering Design Summit to learn about community development, appropriate technology and humanitarian engineering.

We met with our students upon their return to discuss this one of a kind opportunity and gain insight of their exploits in undertaking an immersive educational and cultural experience in India.

Describe the two weeks you spent in the India Design Summit:

Aya: The first week was full of workshops about the theory of human design cycle, soft skills development and some team projects that taught us how to use the knowledge learnt in the school and college to discover a design opportunity and create a project.

The second week was mainly the rural house stay which helped us to go deeper in the Indian culture and have an opportunity to apply all the skills we acquired earlier. This led us to think, communicate, design, work and to produce an efficient project using very limited materials but very inspiring ideas.

Talal: As Aya has mentioned, it was a very well organized summit. We met a lot of

local people and aspired to help them as best we can generally by trying to make their every day lives easier. It was a surreal and fascinating experience.

What are the benefits of participating in the EWB India Design Summit?

Talal: The group work was very beneficial. It taught me to be patient and more understanding towards other people’s opinions. The more we brainstormed with each other the more comprehensive our ideas were.

Aya: The program benefited me in two way, personally and educationally. On a personal level, the summit was a great chance for me to develop my social and communication skills. Traveling is nourishing to the soul, which is how this

HUMANITARIAN ENGINEERING DESIGN SUMMIT 2017

working and dealing with them. I was also able to build an international network with them. Their positivity has encouraged me to contemplate continuing my studies in Australia.

Talal: We deal with various Australian staff at the college on a frequent basis. However, to travel with them and specially students was refreshing. We learned a lot about Australia and how dynamic it is.

What were the key challenges you faced and how did you and your team overcome them?

Talal: The main challenge we faced was with the design. The primary design did not perform as well as we expected. We had to modify a few aspects to make it useful and functional in the circumstances given.

Aya: A minor challenge for everyone may be the physical activity as the amenities in the community are hard to compare to what we are used to, but we overcame it by having a strong mind and being patient.

However, it was the challenges related to the design that were the most difficult for me. Coming up with an idea or a solution

program has helped me be more independent and mentally strong. You learn to be more easy going and flexible. Overall, it was a great cultural enhancing experience.

On an educational level, some of the key lessons we have encountered included:

1- Prototype designing plan.2- Feedback session for materials selections.3- Discussion about the preexisting humanitarian design.4- Resources analyst session.

You joined the India Design Summit as part of the Engineers Without Borders Australia Chapter and worked with students from all over Australia, including our strategic partner university, CQUniversity. What did you learn from working with Australian staff and students?

Aya: I was impressed by the Australian students and staff and how they are open minded and have positive attitudes. I learnt the importance of appreciating and respecting other cultures. I have upgraded my English language and soft skills while

by looking at something really simple was harder than I thought. We are used to thinking of grand ideas to enhance our living. However for them, it was the simple improvements that made their lives smoother. Many ideas may come to you but you have to be smart to choose the most suitable one and try to make it work using very limited materials and budget.

What advice would you give to ACK students thinking about joining the EWB Design Summit in the future?

Talal: Students should definitely apply. The trip was extremely fulfilling both socially and physically. It’s a great opportunity for personal development.

Aya: I would strongly recommend the program to other students. You should always be open minded and ready for any chance to learn and make the world a better place to live in for you and others.

ACK IN INDIACONTINUED HIGHLIGHTS

“One of the highlights of our trip was staying in the local village and spending time with the host family. They were very generous and welcomed us with open arms.”- Talal Al Dousari.

“It would definitely be the final presentation and the prototype building. Getting to the final stage of the programme and seeing our achievements gave us all a feeling of purpose and accomplishments.” - Aya Chen Daoliang.

For more information about Engineers Without Borders, contact Johanne Flynn at j.flynn@ack.edu.kwAya and Talal pictured upon their return with Dr. Mohamed

Gaith, Associate Dean - School of Engineering, and Ms. Johanne Flynn, Manager - ACK International Office.

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Activities Calendar: March 2017

5 Sun 6 Mon 7 Tues 8 Wed 9 Thurs 10 Fri 11 Sat

UAAK UAAK UAAK

Guitar Workshop

UAAK

Movie Night

Football

Tournament

Guitar Workshop

UAAK

Music Night

1 Wed 2 Thurs 3 Fri 4 Sat

UAAK

Movie Night

UAAK

Mid-Shot Tournament

12 Sun 13 Mon 14 Tues 15 Wed 16 Thurs 17 Fri 18 Sat

UAAK UAAK

Graffiti Competition

UAAK

Guitar Workshop

UAAK

Movie Night3 on 3

TournamentGuitar

Workshop

UAAK

Art Gallery

19 Sun 20 Mon 21 Tues 22 Wed 23 Thurs 24 Fri 25 Sat

UAAK

Photography Workshop

UAAK

Photography Workshop

UAAK

Photography Workshop

Guitar Workshop

UAAK

Photography Workshop

Movie NightGuitar

Workshop

UAAK

Photography Workshop

Toastmasters Event

26 Sun 27 Mon 28 Tues 29 Wed 30 Thurs 31 Fri

UAAK

Debate Match

UAAK

Cooking Class

UAAK

Guitar Workshop

UAAK

Movie Night

Guitar Workshop

UAAK Toastmasters Event

SRAC EventACK Event

Non ACK EventSports EventClubs Event

Participating in an Event

BY NOURA AL-HERAIS

Aside from restaurants and malls, I always thought that there weren’t enough art galleries, bookshops and museums in Kuwait. Well, these past few months I’ve been discovering places, amazing places that I think everyone should visit at least once.

Art Space:

This is undoubtedly my favorite place to be. Everyone is outgoing and extremely friendly. Every time I go there I seize the opportunity to make new friends who have similar interests. You can buy your own canvas there and they’ll supply you with everything else you need. It’s a great place for artists but I also encourage everyone to go there at least once to learn or try something new. Just go early, order something to drink from their café, I’d recommend their coconut milkshake, and prepare to connect with your inner creativity.

http://artspaceq8.com/https://www.instagram.com/artspaceq8/?hl=en

Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Center:

As you may already know, Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Cultural Center opened in October 2016. Along with Sheikh Abdullah Al Salam’s Cultural Center, it is the planned foundation of Kuwait’s national district. Both are scheduled to include state-of-the-art theaters, cinemas, concert halls, conferences, exhibition halls and a library archive.

ART AND CULTURE IN KUWAIT

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Contemporary Art Platform:

Located in Industrial Shuwaikh, CAP is a non-profit art center that was founded in 2011. It offers a public arts library, a studio space, workshops, lectures and film screens. CAP’s art public library consists of books and magazines about art & design, architecture, artist biographies and much more. It also hosts a quiet sitting area and a free Wi-Fi connection.

http://www.capkuwait.com/https://www.instagram.com/capkuwait/?hl=en

Center of the Arts|Art*

I’ve always wanted to learn ballet and when I decide to start taking classes this is definitely where I’ll be taking them. This place is perfect to nurture your talents and show them off, they offer classes, events and workshops for talented artists and performers.

info@artkuwait.com.kwTel: +965 222-82-130https://www.instagram.com/art_kw/

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Each semester, ACK holds a special ceremony to recognize outstanding achievements of students. This semester, the ceremony was held on 19th February 2017 in the college’s auditorium. The event was attended by the certificate recipients, their parents and guests. Certificates were presented by ACK’s Deputy Managing Partner - Industry, Mr. Sager Al Sharhan and our Dean, Dr. Gad Elbeheri.

The categories of awards for Spring 2017 semester include:

• ACK Academic Scholarships (for diploma and degree)• ACK Special Academic Awards (for distinguished academic work) and Special

Achievement Awards (for outstanding extra-curricular participation)• Dean’s List (for students with perfect GPA for previous semester)• Dean’s Graduation Honor Roll (for students with perfect GPA for diploma or

degree program)• Student Council• ACK Award Program• Participation in Engineers Without Borders voluntary community project in

India (January 2017).

STUDENT AWARDS CEREMONY

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Mr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, the chairman of Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Group, was the guest speaker at the School of Business Wednesday Talk for 15th February 2017. His group are leaders in the field of accounting, auditing, and intellectual property work. He spoke about his life experience as an entrepreneur and his extensive work with the United Nations as a chairman of several task forces.

In his talk, Mr. Abu-Ghazaleh stressed the importance of technology in today’s business world and believed that most commercial activity in the future will be done in the virtual world. He pointed out that technology is an integral part for any business to succeed. His company, for example, uses its own internet service provider and self-developed programs.

Mr. Abu Ghazaleh concluded his talk by emphasizing on the importance of the human factor and friendly culture at the workplace as a cause for success.

MR. TALAL ABU GHAZALEH VISITS ACK